Paulin and Gajser make double Honda podium in UK

Team HRC’s Gautier Paulin joined Honda Gariboldi’s Tim Gajser on the podium at the MXGP of Great Britain today, marking Honda’s third consecutive double-podium. And it was so nearly an all-Honda podium, too.

In race one Evgeny Bobryshev was the fast starter, emerging from the first corner in the lead on his CRF450RW. The Russian then set about building a lead for himself of six seconds and the field scrapped behind him. At the midway point it became a Honda vs. Honda battle as Tim Gajser made the pass for second and gave himself clear air and the #777 as a target.

Bobby was strong, and before Tim’s charge had set the fastest lap of the race, but unfortunately in the last ten minutes was forced to change the way he was riding a little, which led to him slightly over-jumping one jump, landing in the ruts and missing the corner, jumping out of the track. He was able to remain upright and quickly re-join, but the episode cost him two positions, and he slipped to fourth by the flag.

Gautier Paulin meanwhile resisted pressure from van Horebeek to maintain what was quite a lonely fifth position, but in race two the Frenchman started strongly and slotted into third, giving him third position overall in the Grand Prix and his second podium of the season.

Gajser took the overall win, whilst Bobby’s fifth in race two put him in fourth overall, and just two points adrift of the podium.

Gautier Paulin ²¹

5th, 3rd 3rd overall

“Especially after the French GP, it’s a great way to come back. Yesterday wasn’t my day as I was struggling a little but we worked hard with the team and did a good job to come back really strong today. The qualifying race was pretty terrible for me, but today was another day and we’ve been good all day. The first moto was ok but the second race was good. I spent too much time behind Butron and I used too much of my goggle roll-offs with the conditions, but I’m pleased with third and to be back on the podium again.”

Evgeny Bobryshev ⁷⁷⁷

4th, 5th 4th overall

“Honestly I can’t say I’m satisfied with fourth because we could have been on the podium today. From yesterday the feeling was good here and things were working well on this track, and at the start of race one it was great to be out in the lead and running so well. Then we had a few small issues and when I was trying to push behind Tim I over-jumped and missed a corner, jumping out of the track. It’s frustrating as I think a podium was definitely on the cards today. We had the pace for it, but it just didn’t happen.”

Roger Harvey

HRC General Manager - MXGP

“I’m really pleased to see Gautier on the podium again, and of course with Tim winning again we took another double Honda podium. And Bobby was so close too. He certainly had the pace and if it wasn’t for losing the two positions in race one, well then who knows but he would have been up there. It’s been a very strong weekend all round as a Honda has topped the sheets in every single session apart from the first practice, so we have to be happy with that!”

MXGP 2016 Sunday, June 19th 2016

Race Round 11 GP of Great Britain Great Britain